About Me
- Brendan
- I am a professional educator by trade, but by my definition, I am much more than that. I wear many hats; including, but not limited to, Father, Husband, Son, Step-Father, Ex-Husband, Entrepreneur, Public Speaker, Super Geek (love technology), Trainer, Coach, Student, Writer, Dreamer, and Leader. For fun I am an avid golfer and consider myself a blessed individual because I have the greatest wife in the world that loves to golf with me.
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Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Lesson 1 Public Speaking Makes You a Better Citizen
Have you ever been unsatisfied with how something is being handled (say, the national debt) or maybe there is some organization or cause out there that you wish you could support more. Well, being a better public speaker can help you become the “model citizen” you always wanted to be. Currently there is a lot of change that is happening in the world today, some for the good and some for the worse. We’ve all been affected by it and there is a good chance that there is something going on right now that really “irks” you.
So have done anything about it? Why not? Too many people think that they can’t make a difference; there just one person. Well I’m glad no one told that to Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Steve Jobs, or anyone else that has made a change in this world.
Rebecca Rimel in a speech given the Common Wealth Club in San Francisco said, “Imagine, for a moment, our nation in 20 years time if our citizenry remains as disengaged – and special interests remain as engaged – as they are now. We’d have a democracy that responds to the particular interests of the few over the pressing demands of the many…a society increasingly alienated from its government and each other.”
Pretty scary.
Well it’s time to speak up and let your voice be heard,but before you go and jump on your soap box on the street corner, realize that you will do a lot better if your rhetoric improves. This course in public speaking will help you do just that.
If you feel like you want to get involved (in something), here are some organizations that just might help.
Public Agenda – They provided non biased research that explains public attitudes about complex policy issue.
The Public Forum Institute – They also offer unbiased research on on a variety of important issues, such as oceans under stress and homeland security.
Project Vote Smart – They offer a wealth of information about political candidates and elected officials, including their voting records, campaign contributions, etc.
e.thePeople – They explore political issues and allow you to publish “conversations” for the e.thePeople community to read. Of course, this site does the same thing in a way.
Questions
- How can public speaking help YOUR involvement in community/national events?
- Who do you know that has made a difference (to you or someone else) because they spoke up? What did they do that helped make a difference?
- Do you think our politicians use “good rhetoric?” Why or why not?
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48 comments:
By sharpening my skills in public speaking, my ability to participate in my community will increase. When someone is able to clearly and professionally state their opinions and ideas, they will have more influence than someone who stumbles on their words. Politics don’t interest me very much. It is hard to understand everything that is going on in the political world. However, I know that it is important to understand our government both on a local and national level. By knowing how to speak in public, I could potentially go to a city council meeting and express my concerns or ideas to the council. If I do not know how to make my ideas clear in a speech, I may not come across as knowing what I am talking about. Also, through learning how to speak publicly, I can learn how to be persuasive in my speech, and influence those who have power in the community and world. As I become more confident in my speaking abilities, I could be a voice for causes that I believe in. Right now, as a college student, I am absorbed in my studies and my work. But as I get older and possibly have children, I want to know how to appeal to a community, state or even national council if I ever need to do so.
Public speaking has always driven politics whether it’s a filibuster to bore people into your point, or the famous “I Have a Dream” speech by Martin Luther King Jr. The famous “I Have a Dream” speech is a perfect example of good rhetoric, the good rhetoric that seems to be missing in today’s politics. In my opinion “good rhetoric” is a moral way to persuade. Through all of the smear campaigns and negative press that is overtaking the news it has become difficult to see a the true views of a candidate. It seems that now, more than ever, people will vote for a party rather than separate candidates because of the confusion and lies that go on with politics. I find it frustrating that when voting for the last president I chose who appeared to be the lesser of two evils. With a country in the pits we need good rhetoric more than ever. Many smear campaigns are very convincing and can sway votes towards or away from a certain candidate. However, this immoral use of persuasion is simply just a distraction from what the real focus should be on. The attitude that you can get anyone into office as long as the other guy looks worse needs to be challenged. We have let this fowl play go on for too long and it’s time we saw an honest race for the presidency.
I believe there are various ways you can make a difference by just simply speaking up. It could be in the workplace of becoming noticed by your superiors rather than just another worker; by going above and beyond and not being afraid to openly tell them you are a great worker and deserve to be recognized. It takes a lot of courage but even more so a clear understanding of how to speak. One way I personally went through this was just a couple weeks ago I asked for a raise at my work and if you know what you want and how you can get it, and sometimes what you are willing to do to get it, I believe in most cases you will! Another way that speaking up benefits us and makes a difference is when you convey to others an idea or a hope that they deep down need to hear. I had multiple experiences with this when I served in a religious youth council for my high school. There would be times where I would be asked to get up in front of a large group of my peers and share some thoughts. How scared was I! I often thought to myself, who am I to tell them about God? To tell them that bad things happen for a reason and that through everything God will still love you? Among other things, I was scared of judgment and possibly looking like a hypocrite because no one is perfect. But just as anyone else in the past who has stood up for their beliefs and gathered the courage to speak hope to people who may disagree completely, so have I. What I conclude is that it happens on every scale. No matter what the situation, how large or small the witnesses, or what you're saying, it's important to just SPEAK. My opinion matters and I am hoping I continue to cultivate and train my abilities to speak so i can deliver those opinions in a civil, appropriate and understandable manner.
Being a good public speaker makes an individual so much more persuasive, and in order for me to make a difference I have to do more than just inform my audience, I have to persuade them to action. You mentioned in class a speech you recently heard where the person speaking said "like" and "um" so often you found it impossible to focus on the message. I've had this happen to me as well. I hear people speak sometimes and I have absolutely no idea what message they were trying to convey because I spent so much time counting the "ums" and "likes". I've also heard speeches with no clear thesis, no challenge to the audience, no valid points, poor transitions, conflicting arguments, and excessive rambling. When somebody gives a speech suffering from any (or sometimes all) of these maladies it becomes impossible for the audience to reciprocate anything other than feigned compliments. If I truly want to make a difference, if I find a cause I feel passionate about, and make it my ambition to help others see the same way, then my speech must be persuasive. And the only way to deliver a persuasive speech which will in some way motivate your audience to action, is by understanding and applying the principles and theories I hope to better learn through this class.
How can public speaking help YOUR involvement in community/national events?
I think many times people don't voice their opinions or stick up for what is right because they are scared of what others will think of them, scared to hear something they really just don't want to hear. If I had better public speaking skills, I wouldn't be afraid to step out of my shell a little bit more. I would be more likely to get out there and influence people to do great things for the environment and our community. I would have the confidence and drive to make a difference. When I see others speaking publicly with great motivation and confidence it make me want to do the same thing.
Question 1:
Learning basic public speaking skills can help my involvement and activity in my community in many ways. It is part of being a citizen and being a well rounded person. Learning these skills can give me the confidence to stand for what I believe in and feel like I can make a difference in the world even though I am just one person. Public speaking skills can be used to persuade and to inform an audience which can aid in bringing new view points and ideas to many people at once. This is a great skill to have and it can also always be used in the career world. Most jobs involve some level of public speaking and communication with more than one person. Another aspect of this concept is being in the audience and evaluating speakers and deciding if they are valid or not, based on your knowledge about public speaking. (ie. political campaigns/debates, job interviewing, etc)
My younger brother plays high school golf and there was someone in his tournament who tried to cheat. This person attempted to post a lower score than he actually earned. Someone from another team confronted this person and said that he was cheating. In the end the kid who cheated was disqualified from the tournament and humiliated in front of his peers. Although this was an unfortunate experience for the kid who cheated this was a victory for the game of golf. Cheating in any way is not to be tolerated on the golf course and the kid who stood up for the rules helped to maintain that standard. This person made a difference because he was willing to speak up. This will serve as an example for years to come and will help maintain the integrity of the game at the high school level and will remind all who were there of the importance of honesty.
As I wrote in the last lesson, public speaking skills gives you confidence. If you don't have confidence, you'll never be able to get up in front of any number of people and say what you think needs to be said. When I was younger, I was a very outspoken person. I didn't let anyone tell me I was wrong when I knew I was right because I always knew how to back up what I was saying. I'm not saying I was cocky or that I thought I knew everything. I'm only saying that I knew how to back up anything I was saying with an irrefutable argument. People may have tried to argue, but most found it pointless and acquiesced. But had I not known about the skills of public speaking, mainly confidence, I never would have been able to stand up for something I knew was right.
How can public speaking help YOUR involvement in community/national events?
There are a lot of problems or issues out there that could be avoided completely if people were just brave and bold enough to speak up. Almost everyday I see something in our community that makes me think, "wow I wish I could help that." Until now I have never really taken a whole ton of time to think about the fact that I can help if I would only take the initiative and speak up. There are a couple causes that have always sparked my interest and that I would love to be involved in that will benefit tremendously from public speaking. If I can learn to effectively address and present issues and ideas for fixing them I know that I can help the people that I have always wanted to. Thousands of people speak up every day and start the ball rolling for something they feel very strongly about. These people at some point were probably sitting in a class such as this one having the light bulb click on just as I have. Hopefully I can make a difference some day like they have.
Public speaking can and will help my involvement in the community and our nations society. By learning the art of rhetoric, as a few other students have said, I would be able to persuade my fellow community members to do what I felt to be right. This could be dangerous supposing my ideas are not the right thing for the community. If I learn to use "good rhetoric", which I see to be a combination of using pathos(emotion), logos(logic), and ethos(character)this is where solid persuasion is achieved. When I learn to relate to my audience through these 3 lines of rhetoric my points will be made clear and very powerful. Politicians do this everyday. In their arguments the use the logic of it will cost less, they use ethos talking about keeping to the constitution (which we all know they are not), and the use the pathos of protecting our families and using phrases such as "hope" or "change". These arguments are made so powerful that even after clear failure these individuals still have support. This is a vague example of how I will be able to use public speaking to "change" the community. Hopefully not the failure part though.
Who do you know that has made a difference (to you or someone else) because they spoke up? What did they do that helped make a difference?
In high school I was friends with one of the kindest kids anyone could imagine. In fact, he was so sweet and driven, he became the student body president. Tanner Eastmond was well known for loving people, and I have always admired him. He just always knew how to handle any situation that was thrown his way in the most mature way possible. There were times when issues would be brought up in student council that seemed unmanageable and the solution impossible. And Tanner always had a plan. I can't think of a specific time where he spoke up, but I can tell you that he certainly made a difference for me, as well as everyone else in the school because of his talent with communication. He understood the art of speaking your mind, making your point, but doing so in a polite way so that the other party was willing to listen and take his suggestion (or opinion) into consideration. Which is an important skill to learn if you want to make a difference in the world. Because anyone can speak up, stomp their feet and scream at the top of their lungs to get everyones attention. But real character, and the person companies want to hire, are the people who can respect others, and still make their opinion loud, and clear.
I believe that our politicians today use great rhetoric, to an extent it depends upon who and which people we speak of. If you talk about becoming president they have to use many types of rhetoric some appealing to a mass audience and some appealing to fellow members of the senate and such. Both will have different interests and such will require a different strategy. I believe that a lot of false rhetoric is used though, in a sense that they promise a lot and use that as persuasion and don't always follow through with what they say. On the other hand you can argue the point that they have no strong use of rhetoric because they appel to people so much in a sense of promises and guarantees that the art of persuaion to them is not to get them to like who you are and how good of a person you are but what can you promise to help people.
Gianna Jensen is an abortion survivor who has made a difference in my life. Gianna, petitioned congress and President Obama to prohibit late term abortions and change the nation’s laws. She walks with a limp as a result of a botched late term abortion that was supposed to kill her. Instead of spending her life complaining she takes a wonderful outlook on life and has turned it into a passion to speak for the unborn and to try to protect innocent life.
Gianna’s story is moving and inspirational, I have a sister with learning difficulties and once she saw Gianna’s story on you tube she changed her own outlook on life and now tries to help others with learning difficulties. Attitude is what helps us succeed.
How can public speaking help YOUR involvement in community/national events?
Have you ever noticed people you like to listen to people who don’t bore you always have something in common. When someone can intrigue others, catch their attention, they can do so much more. The influence that a good speaker has on others is tremendous. If you are involved in community or national events you can make a difference. Your opinion matters; although, a lot of times people don’t make a difference even when they do have good ideas. I am involved in Rotary which is a world wide service program. Being able to speak well publicly will involve me in that club so much more then I am right now. It will do this because I will fill comfortable to share my ideas and know how to present it in a pleasing way so others understand and want to listen to me. I feel like I could do so much more if I could increase my ability to effectively speak to people.
Who do you know that has made a difference (to you or someone else) because they spoke up? What did they do that helped make a difference?
The week before school started I unfortunately was pulled over and given a ticket in Oregon. I had forgotten to turn on my lights after I picked my boyfriend up from work and had driven for about thirty seconds in the brightly lit city without realizing it. I was kind to the cop and even though I tried to get out of it i was still given the $287 ticket and sentenced to court. I was terrified of having to present myself in front of these important people. So terrified I nearly wrote the check and sent it in, but a part of me knew i needed to go and speak up to see what i could do. By going to court and speaking up i conquered a fear and got myself out of the ticket! I had made a difference in my own life by standing up and getting out of my comfort zone, so I am able to do it again. By realizing what power simple words have I am more prepared to speak up and ready for the next time i might need to defend myself.
"How can public speaking help YOUR involvement in community/national events?"
The ability to speak is relatively simple, actually so simple children can do it. However the ability to effectively communicate an idea or concept is a talent that is rare at best. It is seen all the time in politics. (kind of addressing two questions here). Anyone surfing the channels can see and hear the "Rhetoric" of politicians. It may sound good but when has a politician effectively communicated an idea? Usually they throw out numbers, facts, and acronyms that mean little to the masses. In my opinion this would suggest they are poor at rhetoric if such is measured by the actual content of their speaking. The ability to speak and convey an idea to ones neighbors is vital to a society based on freedoms such as speech. So it stands to reason that the skill to adequately share ones opinions, theories, ideas, and the like is very important. It can propel one into the political realm if they can do such. It can help a schools curriculum more accurately reflect what the students parents want the children to learn. It can raise awareness about topics that no one even knew existed. And that is why the ability to speak in public would be an asset to a community; locally and nationally.
Public speaking could help me in the community and national events by having me become more confident in standing up and voicing my opinion in front of people. What I could say could change someone's life and make it better. There're a lot of problems and issues in the world today and by taking a public speaking class I will be able to learn how to become more confident in speaking in front of an audience. It will also give me the opportunity to inform and persuade them to do what I felt was best. Public speaking could make me a better person and citizen and standing up for those people who do not have the courage to. I could be that one person who could make a difference and you never know if you don't try.
How can public speaking help YOUR involvement in community/national events?
I believe that if you want to change the world, you can. One of my dreams is to someday hold a leadership position within a non-profit organization in an effort to better the lives of those suffering. To do this, it is essential that I am a good public speaker. Because of the nature of such organizations, I must be able to use rhetoric to motivate people to move to support my cause. Learning to be a better public speaker now will help me to make a difference tomorrow.
While I was in high school I had two friends that were in to snowboarding and loved to go during school. One day one of my buddies needed some new mittens and so he decided to steal some from the pro shop at the canyons. He got away with it and so my two friends started to go there more and steal goggles, gloves, beanies, coats, jackets, pants, and ended up stealing a kid’s snowboard that was at the lodge. Well on day they were bragging about it to some of their buddies and one of the kids wanted them to steal them a coat so the headed down the mountain and headed to the shop. While they were in there one of the workers figured out what was going on and caught one of my friends while the other ran. The kid that ran ended up telling his parents what has been going on and he returned everything he had stolen and apologized. Thought initially he did the wrong thing he ended up doing the right thing and facing the people he had made friends with at the pro shops and told them what he had done. In the end he did what was right by taking responsibility for his actions.
how can public speaking help YOUR involvement in community/national events?
Public speaking can help in many ways help improve different places all over the globe. Weather it was the young people in Libya standing up for what they believed. Or even on a smaller level in school. With confidence in my public speaking abilities, making speeches and standing up for my fellow people that don't have the confidence or knowledge of persuasive speaking to do so. Things could change on campus for the better. Starting from raising more money for different programs around campus like sports programs or the business school or even a club. Being able to get the word out can make a big difference.
How can public speaking help YOUR involvement in community/national events?
I believe most change comes from a single idea. its what the person does with that idea that determins the outcome. he or she could surpress the idea, not speak out and eventually maybe the idea of change just disapears. Or that person could speak out for change. Let there voice be heard even if its only infront of 1 person, there voice is being heard. Eventually if the idea is strong enough there voice will be demanded to be heard. Learning how to stick up for what you believe in or if the idea would make it a better place, using your voice through public speaking would help the idea be heard. I didnt like how things were ran at my old verizon job. i didnt think it was fair how my old manager handled his authority. i went to fellow workers and told them about differnt ideas of how i thought the work place could be better. eventually my ideas made it up to upper management and when we had a work meeting they asked me to come up front and discuss some ideas infront of the workers of 20 or so. to make a long story short i quit my job to finish school but i came to find out that they fired my old manager and adoppted some ideas of mine and according to some old friends they are makeing more money becauce of the meeting that i spoke at
I would like to respond to question #1: I think that there are a lot of ways public speaking can be beneficial for local or national events. I have a real life example of this that happened about a month ago. My parents live in a neighborhood that has thru street that people take as a shortcut to other parts of town. Anyway even though it is a 25mph zone most people drive about 40 -45 mph down this street. There are young families along this street with little kids and so my brother was a little worried about this. So he wrote a letter to the city explaining what was happening and within about 2 weeks there are now speed limit signs on several parts of this road. So this was a good example to me of how public communication can be beneficial to a neighborhood.
Who i know that has made a difference because they spoke up was my older brother I.K. if it wasnt for him i wouldnt be in college right now, during high school i hated every aspect of it i never wanted to go to class, i didnt like any of the people at the school i attended, and my grades were suffering as a result of the bad attitude i devoloped and i even got kicked off the basketball team half way through the season, so when it came time for graduation i was failing two core classes that i needed to graduate, but haveing the bad attitude i was blinded by i didnt even care to try and fix my grades or even cared about walking at graduation, until my older brother came back from college to talk to me about the life i would be living if i didnt graduate high school and not go to college, he was the only person that seemed to connect with me and because of that i was slightly enlightend so i weighed my options and realized it would be the best thing for me to get my grades up and apply to colleges and continue my education to live a good life.
I think picturing a bald or naked people, as your audience is a great idea because I have used that technique my whole life. When it came to dance solos where you where on a stage all by your self with over 100 people watching you it got a little frightening. I was the most nervous kid you could possibly meet I would not eat for a week and all I would think about is me on that stage falling on my butt and making a full of myself. Thankfully one morning before I was about to go on stage my teacher came up to me and said go on that stage and pretend you are in a room by yourself or imagine they are all dressed up like clowns. So I tried it; it actually totally worked I went on that stage and kicked some butt. So in the sense of standing in front of an audience imagining people aren’t there or all bald and naked gives you a sense of relief and could make you feel a lot more comfortable. So yes I think it’s a great idea!
There was this one time when I had to perform my solo in front of a ton of people and I was competing against my best friend. She always beat me but I was determined to beat her. I worked my butt off and practice until I had blisters all of my feet. When I got on that stage I was the most confident I have ever been in my life. I felt so powerful and that I could achieve anything at this point. I was still of course a little nervous with those butterflies all over my stomach but was more relaxed then all the other times I have ever preformed. The reason I felt so confident is because I practiced until I new that dance backwards, frontwards, from the middle and so on. I could actually focus on selling the dance in meaning giving it more attitudes and really being in character. To recreate this feeling in a speech is repeating it over and over again and going to different people with my speech. If I know that speech to a dime then I can actually relax up there and really be myself and make it that much better for me and for the audience.
My grandpa was an inspiration speaker and would go all sorts of places that hopefully changed lives. I had this one experience with my grandpa and got to go with him to a men’s prison I was 12 years old. We sat in a room with about 20 younger boys the ages 16-18. Even though I was young I still understood and had an amazing experience. I got to hear about what these kids went to and what my grandpa did for there lives was give them hope and put big smiles on there faces. They looked determined and starving for life. My grandpa is really passionate about this because he wants to make the world a better place. Some of these kids have great hearts and want to be better kids and that’s what was amazing to see on their faces. Some cried with joy and some cried with sadness. I was very emotional too. It was a life changing moment and has been my goal ever sense is to change someone’s world and inspire people for the rest of my life.
Who do you know that has made a difference (to you or someone else) because they spoke up? What did they do that helped make a difference?
Someone who has made a difference to not only myself but my sisters as well, is my mom. She has always taught us to speak up and stand up for what we want. My mom has been working in the sales industry for as long as I can remember. She always had this presence carried with her; when she spoke, you listened. Growing and learning her people skills I have some-what conquered the hard and talented details of her public speaking. Always when I looked for an ultimatum, she was right there next to me to give a helping hand. In my opinion, that is a tremendous help because I had someone who cared for my presence and how I spoke to other individuals. I feel that if I did not have her guiding me through the nerve wrecking assemblies or the inspiring motivational speeches, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. I enjoy speaking with poise and rhythm and I thank my mom for the love and care she gave me to have the basic knowledge of public speaking that I have today.
I will be answering question number 1.
Public speaking will help me stand up for kids who suffer from bulling. As a child growing up, I was tormented and bullied by the kids at my school and by people around me because of my hearing disability. There are thousands of children who are getting constantly harassed, tormented, and bullied by the other kids in school because of some disability that the child has no control over. The school board doesn't seem to be taking action about this problem that is going on in the schools. This is why I feel it is important for me to learn how to speak adequately and effectively. That way I can take a stand against bulling, make a difference in these children’s lives so they can have a great life and feel more confident about them selves and not limit them selves because of the disability they have. I feel like I’ve had to deal with this problem the hard way and I feel fortunate because of who I became. I was able to fight for myself but the children with other physical or mental disabilities cannot fight for themselves. This is why I feel it is important to bring this ongoing problem to a stop.
When I first saw the word rhetoric and politics together I thought of George W. Bush. The poor guy really struggled with this. He got bashed left and right for some of the unintelligent things he had said. Don’t get me wrong, I am a Bush fan!!! But he made me giggle a few times with the wording that he used. For example he once said “They misunderestimated me”. On the other hand, we have President Obama. What a smooth talker he is! He has a way with words like Charles Dickens. Although, he makes some decisions I disagree with he poses his ideas with elegance. So in other words he’s a great salesman! With Obama as an example, being a great public speaker can lead you all the way to Presidency!
I have never been involved in very many community events or issues. I feel that if I were to have good public speaking abilities it would give me more confidence to speak up for what I believe in. Even though I am only one person if I were able to communicate my thoughts to the right people I could make a difference. I think it is important for me to start being involved in more community/national events. The people that speak up are the ones who are listened to. If I never speak up my ideas and thoughts will never be known. The solutions to this country's issues are solved by the ideas of those who SPEAK not those who don't. As of right now I am not involved in the community. Recently I have decided to try to involve myself more. I've joined a few different clubs that have potential to really help the community. If I am able to communicate my personal views/ideas to the club it will help the group move forward.
I love when people speak up and make a stand for what they believe in. I am the kind of person that usually hangs back and observes what is going on around me. Especially when it is controversial. I would love to change that though and I think this class will help me in speaking up in kind of awkward situations. When I think of people that took a stand for what they believe in I think of Martin Luther King. He was such an influential person in the civil rights movement. He was involved in all sorts of organizations that led him to where he could actually make a difference for his people. Not only was his house bombed, he was also arrested and sadly he was assassinated. I just think he is the perfect example of speaking up for what he believes in and changed so many peoples lives.
My public speaking skills are lacking to put it nicely as you can tell by the way I string together words in the hope they will become sentences. I often have problems talking to one person let alone talking to a crowd of people my lack of ability either manifests in me either mumbling of going of topic into some mindless dribble. Learning to become a better public speaker could change everything rather than making a joke of my awkwardness in public situations I could finally stand up for those who are being forced down. I have always watched our world in disgust at how inhumanly we treat each other and always wish I could do something, after ruling out being a super hero last week I figured there was nothing I could do I had underestimated the power of words, I didn’t realize it only takes one voice to cause an uproar.
The world is always changing from fashion in New York City, too politics, the stock market, and the environment. Becoming a confident public speaker will give me the opportunity to become involved in my community in many different ways because change is always happening. Going Green has recently been a popular and important subject in most communities. Being a “go green” type of person I could visit schools, colleges and work offices to talk about easier and efficient ways to recycle their recyclable materials. Also informing people about the importance of recycling and how they would be saving our planet from feather pollution, office buildings might be an easier target first since so much paper is being used daily. Public speaking will also help me state my opinion about something that I might not agree on in a community. For example, if a power plant was being built in the middle of a forest reserve I could state my opinion and suggest a better alternative. Lastly, we all know that teen pregnancy has been a huge issue recently and that it’s something that can be easily prevented; just talking about it might help the percentage decrease.
Do you think our politicians use “good rhetoric?” Why or why not?
Politicians have spent most of their lifetime learning to perfect rhetoric, whether indirectly or directly. Although a few may have stumbled to do so, how else have the rest managed to hold successful campaigns and the support of citizens? Good rhetoric has greatly influenced politics throughout history and continues to do so. According to Arash Farzaneh, an online writer for Suite101 magazine, “Senators and Congressmen need to have the ‘gift of the gab’ to persuade”. (http://www.suite101.com/content/the-implications-of-rhetoric-a60553) Politicians need to have a good sense of rhetoric to carry far. Compared to an average citizen, most politicians have more exposure to the use of efficient rhetoric. For example, take Franklin D. Roosevelt’s First Inaugural Address. His speech took a hit on the psychological aspects of the Great Depression. Through the art of language, he was able to help the citizens up by declaring war on the Great Depression with courage and determination.
I had a friend in high school, and I will never foret his speech. We had a whole week dedicatd to drinking and driving and at the end of the week the entire student body had to sit in the gymnasium and listen to speeches of people that had been personally affected through someone who drank and drove. Towards the end of the speeches I saw my friend stand up an walk to the foor. We all knew about the DUI he had gotten earlier in the year, but when he got up in front of all of us and appologized for what he had done I had a new found respect for him. To see how passionate he was about the topic was what really moved me. It wasn't like he was talking because someone made him, it was because he wanted his voice to be heard to get his message across so people could see how serious of an issue this is. Even though what he did was wrong, making that speech to help prevent others from making his same mistake too was right.
I think it is imperative that politicians use good rhetoric or else they will never be elected, and I do believe that some of our politicians of today use “good rhetoric”. However, this is not always a good thing. And good rhetoric does not a good man make. Take Adolph Hitler, for example. I have always been fascinated with World War II and have read many books on the subject. Some uestions that always comes to mind are“Why did people listen to him?” “Why were the Germans so intoxicated with him?” “What made him so special?” On the website http://sitemaker.umich.edu/fascistpersonalitycult/adolf_hitler, it quotes Richard Breiting, who is a journalist. Speaking of Hitler, he says “He used simple, straightforward language that ordinary people could understand, short sentences, powerful, emotive slogans... There were no qualifications in what he said; everything was absolute, uncompromising, irrevocable, undeviating, unalterable, final. He seemed... to speak straight from the heart, and to express their own deepest fear and desires... Such uncompromising radicalism lent Hitler's public meetings a revivalist fervour.7 Rhetoric is one of the most powerful tools we have been given. In fact, for more than 60,000,000 people during 1939-1945 it was their cause of death.
By learning good rhetoric i can be able to help my community/nation in many ways. The first way that comes to mind is at my office. As a customer service manager I sometimes have to train new employees on how to properly help our clientele. Learning how to speak properly will help me more effectively train employees and help the company function more properly. Another way that speaking will help me in the community has a lot to do with politics. In accordance with the quote by Rimel, I feel people are becoming more and more disengaged in the affairs of the government. If people are not willing to be actively engaged in the issues we face in the community and in the nation, then those who really care about the issues will need someone to rally behind. Through being able to use good rhetoric I can influence others to support my ideas, and help accomplish what I feel is right and ethical.
By being involved in Student Council at my high school, I found it really annoying when students would complain about certain things, but would not do anything about it… except complain. We would hold meetings to make it easier for students to voice their opinions, and give ideas, but very few people would show up. And rarely would we ever see those students who were constantly complaining about our school or a particular rule or something. I feel it is very similar in the community and even nation. We cannot really complain too much if we aren’t even willing to go out and voice our opinion, and maybe help with a solution. Being able to speak confidently in public will help me to not only be more involved in my community, but to also stand up for what I feel may be wrong or something I feel should be fought for.
Speaking up and voicing your opinion can change a lot of things in your life and also someone else's life. Speaking up for yourself is a very important part of your life. Without the ability to do that and stick up for yourself, you give people the power to walk all over you. There are many examples of people speaking their opinion and it changing so many things. For example Martin Luther King, he had a problem with how things were in our country and him standing up for what he believed in ended up changing the whole country. Along the same line, someone else's opinion that has changed so much for our country is Rosa Parks. Her determination to stick to her opinion was a very good example of sticking up for yourself and for your rights. Doing that she has helped change how things are going to be in our country forever.
I believe that politicians use public speaking as a tool to achieve there agenda. so to answer the question" Do polititions use rhetoric?
' Yes they do, but it is a double edge sword. I believe a good public speaker is not necessaraly a good pearson or someone with your best interest's in mind. You may not share the same views but a good speaker is someone who can make you think outside of your everyday thought prossess. I am sure Martin Luther King Jr. changed alot of peoples opinions on the subject of race and human rights, people that I'm sure grew up believing that African americans where some how "less then". But on the flip side of that subject I am sure that there are and have been great public speakers that spewed hate, Hitler for example. Public speaking is a powerful tool. In the right hands great things can be acomplished. One person change the world forever, with words.
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Sometimes, you truly may be the only one who feels a certain way on an issue. There will be times that you truly will be alone on your stance. Does that make it wrong? Benjamin Disraeli once said, “Never apologize for showing feeling. When you do so, you apologize for truth.” We cannot let feelings of fear and doubt keep up from sharing what we feel to be right.
Just yesterday, a Professor here on Dixie’s campus stood up for something he believed in. He seemed to be alone at first with his stance. As he made a powerful rebuttal to a piece of legislation being passed, others came to stand beside him. He was, however, in the beginning, the one brave enough to make a stance, and did so alone.
Seeing this example gives me the confidence to stand up for what I believe in, despite what may appear to be the main stream feeling. As we powerfully express our feeling and stances, it casts light on topics that will help others see things from your perspective. Even if your expression of feeling doesn’t change the overall outcome, you will be a respected resource and advocate for right.
As a young immature high school kid in the tenth grade, school was nothing more than a giant time to socialize and make friends. It wasn't until my sophomore year that i would finally begin to push myself as a student. I credit this to a teacher named Mr. Hayes. Mr. Hayes from day one scared everybody. His military like poise and strictness made most people in the class transfer. On the first day of school, he assigned a two page paper due the next day of class. He almost looked at us like we were bad kids and needed to be punished. The more i thought of his very different approach to a first day, the more i began to realize he's trying to do more than just assign a paper. He wanted us to make a leap from teenagers to adults. Once students began to realize that his strict words actually had good intention, we began to learn a lot. In fact the class became more like a discussion class with him as an analyst. Although his speaking may have seemed over the top, his actions really spoke even louder. To this day, his lessons still have impact on my life and i still talk to him on facebook. haha So in conclusion, his public speaking skills have to be at such a high level to deeply impact me like that.
Gaining skills in public speaking will greatly help me in my endeavor to become more involved in my community and the events that are taking place. Having the ability to express what it is that I feel will be the key in becoming an active member in Washington County. Being able to think something and actively communicate it is a great asset because I will be able to formulate ideas and opinions and be able to share them in a way that will get my point across and lead to further discussion about my thought, as well as the topic in general. Having an understanding of what is appropriate to do while speaking as well as using the right techniques to actively engage the audience will also help me in becoming more involved; it will allow me to reach the people that I need to while also creating a professional environment that is open to other opinions and discussions as well. As Miss Washington County, I am an advocate for many associations and organizations in our county and by being able to speak well publicly, I will be able to better serve them and represent them in a way that is pleasing to them.
1. Public speaking can help anyone achieve the goals they want. First, I think I am the perfect person to take this class because not only is it required for my degree but public speaking is a skill I can improve on tremendously! In high school I was so terrified of being in front of people, I missed out on points because I didn’t want to give a speech. When I entered college I knew that wouldn’t fly so I literally did the “fake it till you make it” and I made it. Although I didn’t do a good of job that I wish I could I completed all my speeches my first two years of college. I’m really excited and a little nervous for this class. I want to learn how to be a good public speaker, and learning how to be a good public speaker will help me achieve my goal this year for passing all my classes with A’s because I have multiple speeches in each of my classes.
2. Having good public speaking skills can help everyone be better involved with things in their community, job, house, peers, school etc. Most people that sit back and listen have their opinions that can help end an argument, or improve someone’s future but they don’t say anything in fear what people think or if they are going to say the wrong thing. I am guilty to being one of those people that sit back and observe but I know there have been countless times where people are trying to figure out something and I know the answer in my head but when they ask for help I won’t say something.Places i could speak up is with my team during a game or at practice, and just recently i have been put into a group by the college to help them with something im not sure yet but i know i'll have to speak up and get involved with that. Learning the skills will really help me out in my everyday life with speaking up for what I know, believe or think whether it is big or small. Who knows Maybe if I step up and state my opinion I will give someone else the courage to do the same.
I think that good rhetoric existed in the politicians of "old" Reagan, Kennedy, and maybe Clinton. Even if they weren't honest they at least put on a show. Sadly listening to our president today doesn't inspire confidence, hope, or even a sense of rational. I call it the Obama Ummmmm..... and it drives me up a wall! Kennedy at least said his famous "Ask not" quote. Today its like politicians don't even try to speak well, or accurately. Let alone stand for anything that makes a real difference. Hillary Clinton standing for children rights seemed a dollar short and a day late. Who would really say "no, kids don't get rights"? Our society for the most part has moved beyond child labor, and abuse, and I believe the Clinton's had nothing to do with that. We all know "honest Abe" probably wasn't all that honest, but at least he tried to look that way. He also led the country in a direction that was necessary,for survival. Even though it was painful for many.
I think that good rhetoric is key to being a politician, especially if you are the president. Take "Slick Willy" for example he was very smoothe when it came to speaking to people in public. He was able to keep a straight face in front of the entire country during the Monica Lewinsky scandal. A politician has to appeal to the voters or he is out of a job. If he gets up to talk infornt of people and he does a horrible job and just cannot give a speech he will not get elected. Even if he has really good ideas, if he seems to lack confidence on the stand he will not get votes. It is a politicians job to talk to people, they need to talk to people in their district to see what the people want. OR they can try and sway people another way with good speeches. You cannot get into politices without good speaking rethtoric.
I think a good example of someone who has made a difference to a lot of people by speaking up is Rush Limbaugh. He is without a doubt one of the most polarizing figures in the country today. There are people that think he is the devil, and people that name their children after him. However, love him or hate him, he's probably made more of a difference in the political landscape through use of rhetoric than anyone else in the last twenty years or so. There are millions of people that listen to his show every day, and without his skilled rhetoric he A: wouldn't have the listeners and B: wouldn't be able to influence anyone.
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